ALBION will be hoping for a low-key transfer deadline day as they prepare to have their resolve tested for the final time before midnight.

A clutch of Premiership clubs tried to head-hunt Albion's top players during the summer, with little success, following the club's relegation from the Premiership.

Tomasz Kuszczak left for Manchester United earlier this month but both Bryan Robson and chairman Jeremy Peace have continually re-affirmed their commitment to keep hold of the remaining key players.

Even so, The Baggies will be braced for possible late interest in Zoltan Gera, having already rejected bids from Wigan for him earlier in the summer.

Nathan Ellington was wanted by Wigan but his indifferent form and hamstring problems, not to mention Albion's lack of strikers, means he is unlikely to move.

Realistically the biggest problem for Albion will be holding onto Curtis Davies.

Davies signed from Luton for #3million exactly a year ago today, with just three minutes to spare, and penned a new Albion deal earlier this month but he remains on Arsenal's radar and has been watched by Portsmouth, Newcastle and Wigan during the summer.

As far as incoming deals are concerned Albion are unlikely to be involved in any late-night dramas - in contrast to the two previous transfer deadlines when they signed Davies and then Nigel Quashie, who arrived just before the January window slammed shut.

The Baggies wanted to sign the Italian on a season-long loan deal, as part of the Kuszczak move, but United claimed three weeks ago that he was not available. Yet the 19-year-old completed a one-year switch to St James' Park last night, with the Reds no doubt mindful that he will gain vital Premiership and European experience.

Since then The Baggies looked into bringing in an extra striker but failed to sign either Shefki Kuqi of Blackburn or Middlesbrough's Malcolm Christie.

I understand they also tried to negotiate a deal for a mystery overseas striker but that also failed to materialise.

On top of that Albion discussed the possibility of signing 32-year-old midfielder Alan Thompson from Celtic but that move too hit the buffers.